SYNTHETIC DRUGSAN OVERVIEW

Capt. D. Byron Ashbrook, II Washington County Virginia Sheriff’s OfficeCriminal Investigation Division

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

Origin and History:

The main ingredient was created in 1995 in the lab of organic chemist John W. Huffman at Clemson University. Huffman was conducting medical research of the effects of cannabinoids on the brain. He found no medical benefits -- only negative side effects. Unfortunately, marijuana users reproduced the recipe, creating (or attempting to create) a legal alternative to marijuana. 1

K2 (and related products) contain synthetic chemicals (chemical compounds), such as JWH-018 and JWH-073 (and many others), that mimic THC by acting on the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. 1

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

Synthetic Cannabinoids▪ Street Names

▪ K2▪ SPICE▪ Kronic▪ Herbal Incense▪ Genie

Appearance and Makeup:

As Advertised:

Consists of a mixture of dried leaves from traditional herbal plants. They are various colors including green, brown, blonde and red.2

REALITY:

The packages of synthetic marijuana are simply packages of common herbs sprayed down with the synthetic cannabinoid chemicals. 3

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SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

METHODS OF USE Smoking via various

smoking devices / rolling papers.

MANY CONTAIN THE LABELS

“NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”

“LEGAL HERBAL BLEND”

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SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

WHERE PURCHASED:

Tobacco and Smoke Shops

Convenience Stores Local Flea Markets Internet

Most all are packaged and sold as Incense and labeled “Not for human Consumption”

COST TO CONSUMER:

$25 to $50 or higher depending on local Mark-Up

COST TO DEALER: Approximately $4.50

to $8.00 per container depending on size.

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS:

increased heart rate, loss of consciousness, heavy sedation, paranoia, hallucinations, vomiting and psychotic episodes. 4

NO STUDY HAS BEEN COMPLETED TO DETERMINE LONG TERM HEALTH EFFECTS!

THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT REGULATED SO THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY PUTTING INTO YOUR BODY. ACCORDING TO STUDIES MANY ADDITIONAL DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THESE PRODUCTS.

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

LEGAL ISSUES: Code of Virginia § 18.2-248.1:1. Penalties for possession, sale, gift, or

distribution of or possession with intent to sell, give, or distribute synthetic cannabinoids; manufacturing.

(NEW LANGUAGE) A. For the purposes of this title, synthetic cannabinoids

means any substance that contains one or more of the following:cannabimimetic agents or that contains their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation, and any preparation, mixture, or substance containing, or mixed or infused with, any detectable amount of one or more of the following cannabimimetic agents.: 5

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

1. "Cannabimimetic agents" means any substance that is within any of the following structural classes:

a. 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyl)phenol with substitution at the 5-position of the phenolic ring by alkyl or alkenyl, whether or not substituted on the cyclohexyl ring to any extent;

b. 3-(1-naphthoyl)indole or 1H-indol-3-yl-(1-napthyl)methane with substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring, whether or not further substituted on the indole ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the naphthoyl or naphthyl ring to any extent;

c. 3-(1-naphthoyl)pyrrole with substitution at the nitrogen atom of the pyrrole ring, whether or not further substituted in the pyrrole ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the naphthoyl ring to any extent;

d. 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)indene with substitution of the 3-position of the indene ring, whether or not further substituted in the indene ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the naphthyl ring to any extent; or

e. 3-phenylacetylindole or 3-benzoylindole with substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the phenyl ring to any extent.

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

1. 5-(1,1-Dimethylheptyl)-2-[3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol (other name: CP 47,497);

2. 5-(1,1-Dimethylhexyl)-2-[3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol (other name: CP 47,497 C6 homolog);

3. 5-(1,1-Dimethyloctyl)-2-[3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol (other name: CP 47,497 C8 homolog);

4. 5-(1,1-Dimethylnonyl)-2-[3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol (other name: CP 47,497 C9 homolog);

5. 1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (other name: JWH-018); 6. 1-butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (other name: JWH-073); 7. 1-pentyl-3-(2-methoxyphenylacetyl)indole (other name: JWH-250); 8. 1-hexyl-3-(naphthalen-1-oyl)indole (other name: JWH-019); 9. 1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (other name: JWH-

200); 10. (6aR,10aR)-9-(hydroxymethyl)-6,6-dimethyl-3-(2-methyloctan-2-yl) -

6a,7,10,10a-te trahydrobenzo[c]chromen-1-ol (other name: HU-210). 5

§ 18.2-248.1:1. Continued: The term cannabimimetic agents includes:

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SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

§ 18.2-248.1:1. Continued: Specifically Prohibited Compounds (ADDED 2012)

1. 1-pentyl-3-(4-methoxy-1-naphthoyl)indole (other name: JWH-081);2. 1-pentyl-3-(4-methyl-1-naphthoyl)indole (other name: JWH-122);3. 1-pentyl-3-(2-chlorophenylacetyl)indole (other name: JWH-203);4. 1-pentyl-3-(4-ethyl-1-naphthoyl)indole (other name: JWH-210);5. 1-pentyl-3-(4-chloro-1-naphthoyl)indole (other name: JWH-398);6. 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(2-iodobenzoyl)indole (other name: AM-694);7. 1-((N-methylpiperidin-2-yl)methyl)-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (other name: AM-

1220);8. 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (other name: AM-2201);9. 1-[(N-methylpiperidin-2-yl)methyl]-3-(2-iodobenzoyl)indole (other name:

AM-2233);10. Pravadoline (4-methoxyphenyl)-[2-methyl-1-(2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl)indol-

3-y]methanone (other name: WIN 48,098);11. 1-pentyl-3-(4-methoxybenzoyl)indole (other name: RCS-4);12. 1-(2-cyclohexylethyl)-3-(2-methoxyphenylacetyl)indole (other name: RCS-

8).

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

§ 18.2-248.1:1. Continued:

B. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally possess synthetic cannabinoids. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

C. It is unlawful for any person to sell, give, distribute, or possess with intent to sell, give, or distribute synthetic cannabinoids. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a Class 6 felony. 5

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

§ 18.2-248.1:1. Continued:

F. Any drug not listed in this section or the Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.), which is privately compounded, with the specific intent to circumvent the criminal penalties for synthetic cannabinoids, to emulate or simulate the effects of synthetic cannabinoids through chemical changes such as the addition, subtraction or rearranging of a radical or the addition, subtraction or rearranging of a substituent, shall be subject to the same criminal penalties as for synthetic cannabinoids. 5

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

MAJOR CHALLENGES:

Chemists are changing the compounds at an alarming rate which makes enforcement difficult.

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

BATH SALTS

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BATH SALTS

ACTIVE COMPOUND(S)

The active compound(s) contained in “Bath Salts” are: Methylenedioxypyrovalero

ne (MDPV) and ; or

Mephedrone ▪ Both are synthetic

stimulants and fall into the

AMPHETAMINE class of Narcotics.

EFFECTS:

The effects are similar to that of cocaine, amphetamines, and ecstasy (MDMA). 8

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**Note: There are many other variations of the abovecompounds used in Bath Salts i.e. Methylone, Flephedrone, Ethylone, and Butylone.

BATH SALTS

Street Names: Vanilla Sky White Lightning Scarface Cloud Nine Ivory Wave 6

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Also marketed as “PLANT FOOD” and“INSECT REPELLENT”

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BATH SALTS

Methods of Use: Ingestion Smoking Inhaling Injecting

Labels often contain the

Disclaimer:“Not for Human

Consumption.” 13

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BATH SALTS

Where Purchased: Smoke Shops Some Convenience

Stores Local Flea Markets Internet

Cost to Consumer: $ 25 to $50 ▪ Depending on Local

Mark-Up.

• Cost to Dealer:

$ 4.50 to $ 10.00depending on

quantity.

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BATH SALTS

ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS:

Dizziness and vomiting Profuse sweating Agitation and paranoia Insomnia Hallucinations Seizures Increased heart rate and chest pains Suicidal thoughts Panic attacks and psychosis Death 10

BATH SALTS

Man high on bath salts kills neighbor's goat, police say

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Police say an Alum Creek man high on bath salts killed his neighbor's pygmy goat and that neighbors found him in his bedroom, dressed in a bra and panties, next to the dead animal, said Lt. Bryan Stover of the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department.

Mark Thompson, 19, of Greenview Road, is charged with animal cruelty after police got a call from a woman who said he stole her goat at about 3:15 a.m. Monday, Stover said.Thompson allegedly told police he was on bath salts for about three days. 11

Source: The Charleston Gazette 11

BATH SALTS

BATH SALTS

LEGAL ISSUES Code of Virginia:

The active compounds in Bath Salts; Methylenedioxypyrovalerone and Mephedrone, as well as twenty four (24) derivatives and related compounds are classified as SCHEDULE I per

§ 54.1-3446

BATH SALTS

§ 54.1-3446. Schedule I.

1. 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (other name: MDPV); 2. 4-methylmethcathinone (other names: mephedrone, 4-

MMC);

3. 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (other name: methylone);4. Naphthylpyrovalerone (other name: naphyrone);5. 4-fluoromethcathinone (other name: flephedrone, 4-FMC);6. 4-methoxymethcathinone (other names: methedrone; bk-PMMA);7. Ethcathinone (other name: N-ethylcathinone);8. 3,4-methylenedioxyethcathinone (other name: ethylone);9. Beta-keto-N-methyl-3,4-benzodioxyolybutanamine (other name:

butylone);10. N,N-dimethylcathinone (other name: metamfepramone);11. Alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (other name: alpha-PPP);

BATH SALTS

§ 54.1-3446. Schedule I. continued….

12.4-methoxy-alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (other name: MOPPP);13.3,4-methylenedioxy-alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (other name: MDPPP);14.Alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (other name: alpha-PVP);15.6,7-dihydro-5H-indeno-(5,6-d)-1,3-dioxol-6-amine (other name: MDAI);16.3-fluoromethcathinone (other name: 3-FMC)17.4-Ethyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (other name: 2C-E);18.4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (other name: 2C-I);19.4-Methylethcathinone (other name: 4-MEC);20.4-Ethylmethcathinone (other name: 4-EMC);21.N,N-diallyl-5-methoxytryptamine (other name: 5-MeO-DALT);22.Beta-keto-methylbenzodioxolylpentanamine (other name: Pentylone, bk-MBDP);23.Alpha-methylamino-butyrophenone (other name: Buphedrone);24.Alpha-methylamino-valerophenone (other name: Pentedrone);25.3,4-Dimethylmethcathinone (other name: 3.4-DMMC);26.4-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (other name: MPPP); 4-Iodo-2,5-

dimethoxy-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-benzeneethanamine (other names: 25-I, 25I-NBOMe); Methoxetamine (other names: MXE, 3-MeO-2-Oxo-PCE); 4-Fluoromethamphetamine (other name: 4-FMA); 4-Fluoroamphetamine (other name: 4-FA).

BATH SALTS

§ 18.2-250. Possession of controlled substances unlawful.

(a) Any person who violates this section with respect to any controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II of the Drug Control Act shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony.

BATH SALTS

§ 18.2-248. Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing…..

C. Except as provided in subsection C1, any person who violates this section with respect to a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II shall upon conviction be imprisoned for not less than five nor more than 40 years and fined not more than $500,000.

BATH SALTS

Bath Salts…..Generation 2 : Generation 2 of Bath Salts have been hitting the internet

market already, with the DEA's temporary ban of MDPV, Mephedrone.

Naphyrone has been found in samples of what is being labeled online as "Cosmic Blast" a "jewelry cleaner". There are products (of substances unknown) that are on the internet labeled as "IPOD/Phone Screen Cleaner" and other various covers, as it appears that "bath salts" became too viral of a product name and drug dealers have now moved on to other, more obscure product naming schemes. 8

Some are calling this product “SYNTHETIC COCAINE.” 9

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BATH SALTS

Generation 2 continued…..

Naphyrone SideEffects: Is in the stimulant family and can inhibit seratonin uptake which can effect the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Long term effects are not known. 8

Dr. Christopher Long stated in reference to Naphyrone Side Effects: “There’s no stop to it, so your body temperature goes up well over 100, maybe 106, 7, 108 — in which case you’d fry your own brains.” 9

BATH SALTS

MAJOR CHALLENGES:

Chemists are changing the compounds at an alarming rate which makes enforcement difficult.

Dealers are changing the product names, today’s Bath Salts will be marketed as tomorrow’s Screen Cleaner, Air Freshener etc.

WORKS CITED

PHOTOS Photo #1:

http://stopthedrugwar.org/topics/drug_war_issues/specific_drugs/synthetic_cannabinoids Photo # 2: http://californiaexaminer.net/2011/11/18/beware-of-k2-new-potent-drug-on-the-

market/ Photo # 3 : http://www.myspace.com/mrspiceguyincense Photo # 4: http://pimabeddo.mobie.in/index?__xtblog_entry=4fa895b28e21066a4b000000 Photo # 5:

http://www.wmicentral.com/news_premium/synthetic-marijuana---bad-behavior-by-navajo-county-parolees/article_cabc9498-3b14-11e1-9b25-001871e3ce6c.html/

Photo # 6: http://www.wbrz.com/news/banned-bath-salts-rounded-up-by-authorities Photo # 7:

http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/oct/21/federal-drug-agency-ban-makes-bath-salts-illegal-n/ Photo # 8 : http://gothamist.com/2011/06/29/dea_bath_salt_bust_takes_2_million.php Photo # 9:

http://www.accessrx.com/blog/current-health-news/bath-salts-cocaine-meth-mdpv-b0124 Photo # 10: http://www.care2.com/news/member/556653422/2707228 Photo # 11:

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_aa2edc6a-d12c-11e0-bf91-001cc4c002e0.html Photo # 12: http://www.talberthouse.org/blog/the-dangers-of-bath-salts/ Photo # 13: http://www.finlandiaroar.org/community/marijuana-cocaine-and-bath-salts/ Photos # 14: http://www.stsfirst.com/blog/index.asp?offset=-1 Photo # 15: http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/assets_c/2011/08/cosmic%20blast-thumb-

214x202.jpg

WORKS CITED

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1: http://articles.cnn.com/2010-03-02/opinion/fay.ban.k2_1_thc-k2-marijuana?_s=PM:OPINION

2: http://alcoholism.about.com/od/tipsforparents/a/legal_bud.htm 3:

http://www.plg-pllc.com/resources/articles/a-parents-guide-to-synthetic-marijuana-kent-injury-lawyer/

4: http://weatherforddemocrat.com/x176916707/K2-causes-health-problems-with-use

5: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-248.1C1 6:

http://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/directors-page/messages-director/2011/02/bath-salts-emerging-dangerous-products

7: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/dangerous-high-ivory-wave-street-drug-sold-bath/story?id=12600896

8: http://www.hdap.org/mdpv.html 9:

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/assets_c/2011/08/cosmic%20blast-thumb-214x202.jpg

10: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_side_effects_of_snorting_bath_salt 11: http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201105020871